April 3, 2020
Porch Community,
You have hopefully heard that we had to cancel Drive-In Church for April 5th and 12th.
Of course, we will continue live streaming services on Sundays at 11 AM until further notice, as well as midweek messages, music, opportunities for students and kids, and more. This is a new dynamic for all of us. So thank you for continuing to wade into new waters a little bit as we re-define what it means to be in community together.
If you haven’t tried a community group yet, you’ll have an opportunity in a week or so to try one out online. This could be a great way to see what it is all about from the comfort of your own home. More details coming soon.
The way you all are sharing messages and music is making an impact for Jesus on our community. I am seeing and hearing from SO many people who are new to The Porch Community. Keep sharing about Him during this crazy time in our world.
I want to say a quick “thank you” to those of you who have been faithful to continue giving during this time.
I know financially, it is easier for some than others. But “thank you” for keeping the ministry going with your tithes and offerings. We are glad that from our start, we planned a streamlined staff and ministry plan so we aren’t weighed down by huge operating costs. We most certainly want to continue to be able to provide for your staff as they continue to provide ministry to you and your family, and we can only do this through your faithful support.
You can go to theporchcc.com and click on the Giving button to give online or you can go to the Contact button for our physical address if you’d like to send in your offering through the mail.
This Sunday is Palm Sunday. I may or may not ask you to take a pic or video of you and your kids waving branches. (I’m totally going to ask you to!) so, I hope you’ll be prepared.
I will miss seeing you in person this Sunday, however, I am thankful for the community we have together in Christ Jesus. If you know a person who doesn’t do social media or email, why not give them a call? Just to say “hi”. I’m sure it will mean so much to them. And if you know of any needs that our Nurture Team can assist with, please let them know. nurture@theporchcc.com
Stay home!
Shannon
March 25, 2020
Porch Community,
Hope you and your family are well. I’m praying for all in our church each day.
I wanted to send a quick message encouraging you to check in daily for any updates or posts we have to share.
Some of you may have taken a break from social media during Lent. In this unprecedented time, I would encourage you to check it at least once a day. We have live posts, devotionals, songs, prayer, and teaching coming out daily. I don’t want you to miss these opportunities to connect.
Some of you may not have social media like Facebook or Instagram. Again, in these unprecedented times I would encourage you to try it out even for this season. With information changing quickly, and with the staff working remotely, social media is the fastest, best way for us to communicate with you.
Josh will make some posts to our website often as well. However, social media will be the main source, so please check it if you have it.
Tonight at 7 pm, Kristin Bembry is going live on Facebook on the Porch page to connect with our PorchKids and their families. Hope you’ll tune in.
Justin will be sharing some worship and devotional thoughts at different times during the week.
Josh, has already shared some helpful information on how to be connected through technology.
This Sunday, I’ll be sharing a message @ 11am PLUS I’ll be revealing some exciting news about Palm Sunday (April 5) and Easter (April 12).
So, check in on our website and make use of social media as you are able.
Love you all and hope to see you in person soon,
Shannon
March 19, 2020
There’s never been a point in OUR lifetime when what we have claimed to be true about the Church has been so blatantly challenged by the circumstances around us.
Christians profess that the Church is not the building, it is not just the worship, it is not just a large gathering of people.
We have said the Church is God’s people “two or three gathered in his name”. We have said the Church is not inside huddled together, but outside in our various locations.
And now that claim is being tested in a very real way.
For the health and safety of all, we cannot gather the way we have become used to defining the Church.
We cannot currently fill an auditorium. Or a classroom. Or even a living room with people because of this virus.
Our government leaders and denominational leaders have said we should follow strict health guidelines for the sake of others.
And we will do this.
To do otherwise, would be selfish, foolish, and quite frankly, unChristlike.
For at least the next two Sundays (22nd and 29th), The Porch Community Church, will not gather in the way we are used to coming together.
We WILL continue to livestream our Sunday worship service @ 11:00 as we have been all along.
We encourage you to watch, encourage others to watch.
However, because of the social restrictions, we will NOT host PorchKids (8wks-5th grade),
Our student ministries (STiR and SALT 6th-12th grade), Portal (college),
or our on-campus Community Groups.
We will adhere to the “10 person or less” rule strongly urged by our government leaders.
Which means the following for the foreseeable future:
These decisions are for the health and safety of those most vulnerable. People showing no symptoms pass the virus on to someone who then transmits it to their family and friends. We want to minimize this transmission.
We want to flatten the curve.
We expect our Community Groups that meet off-campus in homes to adhere to this 10 person rule as well.
These social restrictions may challenge our understanding, feelings, and expectations of what it means to follow Jesus.
Are we any less a Jesus-follower if we cannot gather weekly in a large group? The answer is obviously “No”.
Are we willing to sacrifice our preferences for a short time for an outcome that we may never tangibly be able to measure?...Because that is truly selfless act.
Jesus taught us to care for others.
When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus replied, in Matthew 22:36-40 New Living Translation (NLT)
“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
In the coming days and weeks I pray you will find contentment in the changes to your schedule, and innovative ways to care for one another.
Tune in Sunday @ 11:00 for our livestream worship!
-Shannon
March 12, 2020
In recent days, we, as the church, have been asked how we plan to respond to the coronavirus. First, and foremost, our response is to pray! We are people of prayer and as the body of Christ we will do so. Secondly, we want to make sure we are navigating the current situation with wisdom instead of fear. Fear is not of the Lord and we do not want to make decisions out of fear. We want to be wise, as we talk to professionals, and make decisions that are best for our church and the community. Thirdly, we want to make sure we are not just looking out for our own self-preservation. We want to think about our entire community, especially those more susceptible to the virus.
One thing is for sure, we will not miss an opportunity to worship together! Even if we are unable to gather together physically on the campus of The Porch Community Church, we will still worship together through technology—social media, our website, and of course, email. We will continue to pray together, worship together, and be encouraged through the word together with live-streaming and video.
We ARE gathering for worship this Sunday, March 15th at 9:30 and 11:00. However, we’ve made a few small changes to the morning experience:
- In the lobby at the hospitality bar we will not serve donuts. Beverages will be served to you instead of the usual self-serve stations.
- For the offering, the baskets will not be passed, ushers will be at each exit with a basket for you to place your offering in as you leave.
- If you usually use the giving kiosk we ask that you please give online
- PorchKids for all ages will be available this week however we ask that you please keep children with runny noses at home for their sake as well as others.
- Check-in for PorchKids will be done by a PorchKids volunteer so multiple people do not use the check in station tablets.
- Greeters will continue to hold the doors open for you as you enter and exit the building.
And this is what we ask of you:
- Try elbow bumps instead of handshakes and hugs
- WASH. YOUR. HANDS. OFTEN.
- If you or your loved one are experiencing flu or cold-like symptoms, we ask that you please stay home on Sunday and join us through the livestream on Facebook or our website theporchcc.com
- If you, or someone you know is home ill, please let us know. We would like to reach out through phone, email, or cards.
We will continue to follow state and local authorities, as well as our conference leadership, and keep you posted about future worship services and ministries.
In the meantime, we pray!
Psalm 121 is a wonderful prayer to pray during this time:
1 I look up to the mountains--
does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!
3 He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.
5 The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.
7 The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
Amen!
Shannon
Porch Community,
You have hopefully heard that we had to cancel Drive-In Church for April 5th and 12th.
Of course, we will continue live streaming services on Sundays at 11 AM until further notice, as well as midweek messages, music, opportunities for students and kids, and more. This is a new dynamic for all of us. So thank you for continuing to wade into new waters a little bit as we re-define what it means to be in community together.
If you haven’t tried a community group yet, you’ll have an opportunity in a week or so to try one out online. This could be a great way to see what it is all about from the comfort of your own home. More details coming soon.
The way you all are sharing messages and music is making an impact for Jesus on our community. I am seeing and hearing from SO many people who are new to The Porch Community. Keep sharing about Him during this crazy time in our world.
I want to say a quick “thank you” to those of you who have been faithful to continue giving during this time.
I know financially, it is easier for some than others. But “thank you” for keeping the ministry going with your tithes and offerings. We are glad that from our start, we planned a streamlined staff and ministry plan so we aren’t weighed down by huge operating costs. We most certainly want to continue to be able to provide for your staff as they continue to provide ministry to you and your family, and we can only do this through your faithful support.
You can go to theporchcc.com and click on the Giving button to give online or you can go to the Contact button for our physical address if you’d like to send in your offering through the mail.
This Sunday is Palm Sunday. I may or may not ask you to take a pic or video of you and your kids waving branches. (I’m totally going to ask you to!) so, I hope you’ll be prepared.
I will miss seeing you in person this Sunday, however, I am thankful for the community we have together in Christ Jesus. If you know a person who doesn’t do social media or email, why not give them a call? Just to say “hi”. I’m sure it will mean so much to them. And if you know of any needs that our Nurture Team can assist with, please let them know. nurture@theporchcc.com
Stay home!
Shannon
March 25, 2020
Porch Community,
Hope you and your family are well. I’m praying for all in our church each day.
I wanted to send a quick message encouraging you to check in daily for any updates or posts we have to share.
Some of you may have taken a break from social media during Lent. In this unprecedented time, I would encourage you to check it at least once a day. We have live posts, devotionals, songs, prayer, and teaching coming out daily. I don’t want you to miss these opportunities to connect.
Some of you may not have social media like Facebook or Instagram. Again, in these unprecedented times I would encourage you to try it out even for this season. With information changing quickly, and with the staff working remotely, social media is the fastest, best way for us to communicate with you.
Josh will make some posts to our website often as well. However, social media will be the main source, so please check it if you have it.
Tonight at 7 pm, Kristin Bembry is going live on Facebook on the Porch page to connect with our PorchKids and their families. Hope you’ll tune in.
Justin will be sharing some worship and devotional thoughts at different times during the week.
Josh, has already shared some helpful information on how to be connected through technology.
This Sunday, I’ll be sharing a message @ 11am PLUS I’ll be revealing some exciting news about Palm Sunday (April 5) and Easter (April 12).
So, check in on our website and make use of social media as you are able.
Love you all and hope to see you in person soon,
Shannon
March 19, 2020
There’s never been a point in OUR lifetime when what we have claimed to be true about the Church has been so blatantly challenged by the circumstances around us.
Christians profess that the Church is not the building, it is not just the worship, it is not just a large gathering of people.
We have said the Church is God’s people “two or three gathered in his name”. We have said the Church is not inside huddled together, but outside in our various locations.
And now that claim is being tested in a very real way.
For the health and safety of all, we cannot gather the way we have become used to defining the Church.
We cannot currently fill an auditorium. Or a classroom. Or even a living room with people because of this virus.
Our government leaders and denominational leaders have said we should follow strict health guidelines for the sake of others.
And we will do this.
To do otherwise, would be selfish, foolish, and quite frankly, unChristlike.
For at least the next two Sundays (22nd and 29th), The Porch Community Church, will not gather in the way we are used to coming together.
We WILL continue to livestream our Sunday worship service @ 11:00 as we have been all along.
We encourage you to watch, encourage others to watch.
However, because of the social restrictions, we will NOT host PorchKids (8wks-5th grade),
Our student ministries (STiR and SALT 6th-12th grade), Portal (college),
or our on-campus Community Groups.
We will adhere to the “10 person or less” rule strongly urged by our government leaders.
Which means the following for the foreseeable future:
- Only staff and essential volunteers may be present for our livestream worship on Sundays (10 ppl rule).
- No groups of any size may gather on our campus until further notice.
These decisions are for the health and safety of those most vulnerable. People showing no symptoms pass the virus on to someone who then transmits it to their family and friends. We want to minimize this transmission.
We want to flatten the curve.
We expect our Community Groups that meet off-campus in homes to adhere to this 10 person rule as well.
These social restrictions may challenge our understanding, feelings, and expectations of what it means to follow Jesus.
Are we any less a Jesus-follower if we cannot gather weekly in a large group? The answer is obviously “No”.
Are we willing to sacrifice our preferences for a short time for an outcome that we may never tangibly be able to measure?...Because that is truly selfless act.
Jesus taught us to care for others.
When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus replied, in Matthew 22:36-40 New Living Translation (NLT)
“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
In the coming days and weeks I pray you will find contentment in the changes to your schedule, and innovative ways to care for one another.
Tune in Sunday @ 11:00 for our livestream worship!
-Shannon
March 12, 2020
In recent days, we, as the church, have been asked how we plan to respond to the coronavirus. First, and foremost, our response is to pray! We are people of prayer and as the body of Christ we will do so. Secondly, we want to make sure we are navigating the current situation with wisdom instead of fear. Fear is not of the Lord and we do not want to make decisions out of fear. We want to be wise, as we talk to professionals, and make decisions that are best for our church and the community. Thirdly, we want to make sure we are not just looking out for our own self-preservation. We want to think about our entire community, especially those more susceptible to the virus.
One thing is for sure, we will not miss an opportunity to worship together! Even if we are unable to gather together physically on the campus of The Porch Community Church, we will still worship together through technology—social media, our website, and of course, email. We will continue to pray together, worship together, and be encouraged through the word together with live-streaming and video.
We ARE gathering for worship this Sunday, March 15th at 9:30 and 11:00. However, we’ve made a few small changes to the morning experience:
- In the lobby at the hospitality bar we will not serve donuts. Beverages will be served to you instead of the usual self-serve stations.
- For the offering, the baskets will not be passed, ushers will be at each exit with a basket for you to place your offering in as you leave.
- If you usually use the giving kiosk we ask that you please give online
- PorchKids for all ages will be available this week however we ask that you please keep children with runny noses at home for their sake as well as others.
- Check-in for PorchKids will be done by a PorchKids volunteer so multiple people do not use the check in station tablets.
- Greeters will continue to hold the doors open for you as you enter and exit the building.
And this is what we ask of you:
- Try elbow bumps instead of handshakes and hugs
- WASH. YOUR. HANDS. OFTEN.
- If you or your loved one are experiencing flu or cold-like symptoms, we ask that you please stay home on Sunday and join us through the livestream on Facebook or our website theporchcc.com
- If you, or someone you know is home ill, please let us know. We would like to reach out through phone, email, or cards.
We will continue to follow state and local authorities, as well as our conference leadership, and keep you posted about future worship services and ministries.
In the meantime, we pray!
Psalm 121 is a wonderful prayer to pray during this time:
1 I look up to the mountains--
does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!
3 He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.
5 The Lord himself watches over you!
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.
6 The sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon at night.
7 The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
Amen!
Shannon